Bristol Harbor Group Bunkering Barge Design Generates 6 New Orders
Based on a double-hulled design from the Bristol Harbor Group, six ABS Class bunkering barges with complete cargo loading and off-loading systems have been ordered. They vary in capacity from 26,000 to 35,000 barrels, and all will be built by Orange (TX) Shipbuilding. The first barge was delivered in 2006 and is owned by Harbor Bunkering Corporation. Named Enterprise, it is currently providing oil transportation service from St. Eustatius Island to Puerto Rico. It is 277.5 ft. long, 58 ft. wide and 18.5 ft. deep and carries 30,000 BBLS.The second vessel, a 26,000 BBLS barge, was built for the Foss Maritime Company and is currently on route to San Francisco from Texas through the Panama Canal. The other four vessels, one with a capacity of 26,000 BBLS and three with 35,000 BBLS capacity, will also be double hulled and will include closed cargo gauging systems and tank liquid overfill protection systems. The two 26,000 BBLS barges have vapor collection systems, while the larger barges will have full vapor processing systems. Bristol Harbor Group currently offers similar designs for barges with capacities up to 60,000 BBLS.